This controvery is taking on a huge life on the blogosphere. Read a round-up.
Previous Comments
And Bush has no recollection of seeing, or even prior knowledge of the tapes existence. This in light of the NIE regarding Iran’s apparent halting of it’s nuclear program back in 2003, and once again, of Bush’s claim that he only heard about it the weekend before, is proof positive that the Bush administration cannot be trusted with our security. What is the CIA hiding on those tapes? Illegal interrogation techniques perhaps. And for those that feel it’s okay to torture, just remember the images of those American soldiers and civilians who were captured and beheaded in Iraq. An eye for an eye.
#115966 | Author: Darron | Date: Dec 8 2007
Funny thing is, it appears that everyone’s on record as being surprised the tapes were destroyed. From Bush on down, the orders had been to keep the tapes in one piece. I know it’s disappointing to Conspiracy Theorists, but it seems like only one person might be charged with anything at this point.
#115967 | Author: Ironghost | Date: Dec 8 2007
i would find it hard to feel secure in any solid explanation for this story. The agreed facts are that there was a tape of interrogations involving techniques which some feel they might think is torture. This tape was implicitly asked for by the 911 commission when it broadly requested any documentation relevant to these interrogations. The tape was destroyed two years later. Where was this tape housed? How many people would miss the tape were it destroyed? Who would have to be informed in order to destroy the tape? What exactly does Bush know about what is going on in his government and how does it differ from what Cheney is privy to? Whomever knew needs to be identified and tried. Whomever was involved needs to be questioned as to the contents of this tape. The United States needs to confidently declare an unambiguous ban on torture…and identify techniques as torture or not without hiding behind national security.
#115968 | Author: daniel johnson | Date: Dec 8 2007
[quote]The United States needs to confidently declare an unambiguous ban on torture[/quote] Sure… and how do you plan on getting information from terrorists? Ask nicely? Outside of that argument, I can’t see why this is a big deal unless the Liberal Media is bored now that Iraq isn’t a hot story anymore.
#115969 | Author: Ironghost | Date: Dec 8 2007
I have decided that most of the posts thus far are thoughtcrime. I suggest everyone report for re-education immediately.
#115970 | Author: Willezurmacht | Date: Dec 9 2007
If nobody but one person saw them, how can we trust that the CIA has a reliable system of oversight on any of its investigations, inquiries, or analyses of data? Is this conspiratorial thinking, or is it assuming that the CIA has a command structure? Those records are supposed to be maintained, filed and accessible according to some kind of bureaucratic set of rules & regulations – but if only one person was the destroyer, who does that person take orders from? Is it worse to imagine a systemic (conspiratorial) decision, or a rogue agent? We do need info on what the bad guys are doing – but intelligence experts of various stripes, including John McCain, convince me that torture only gets a subject to say whatever they think will get the pain to stop. It’s not reliable for truthful information.
#115971 | Author: footsy | Date: Dec 10 2007
Any background necessary can be found in the book “legacy of Ashes: The History of the CIA”, it recently won the Pulitzer. The CIA is, and has always been, a criminal organization.
#115972 | Author: Willezurmacht | Date: Dec 10 2007
The CIA is, and has always been, a criminal organization. *snerk* I doubt you could prove it’s criminal.
#115973 | Author: Ironghost | Date: Dec 11 2007
You are right, it is difficult to prove something is criminal when they destroy all the evidence. Go read that book.
#115974 | Author: Willezurmacht | Date: Dec 11 2007
http://www.slate.com/id/2179593/ a brand new article by Christopher Hitchens.
#115975 | Author: Willezurmacht | Date: Dec 11 2007
This is where I have to remind everyone that Christopher Hitchens is lacking in manhood. Carry on…..
#115976 | Author: emilyb | Date: Dec 11 2007
Willie, destroying one tape isn’t evidence of a vast criminal empire at the CIA.
#115977 | Author: Ironghost | Date: Dec 11 2007
